Cowboys Tight End John Stephens Jr. Suffers Season-Ending ACL Injury for Second Consecutive Year

Dallas Cowboys tight end John Stephens Jr. has suffered a significant setback, tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee for the second consecutive year. The injury occurred during a practice session on Wednesday, according to reports from ESPN and other sources.

This is a repeat of the same injury Stephens Jr. sustained last year in the preseason, which prevented him from playing in any regular-season NFL games. Despite being an undrafted rookie, Stephens Jr. had been competing for a spot on the Cowboys’ roster and was highly regarded by the team for his potential.

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy expressed his disappointment over the injury, highlighting the impact it had on the team’s practice. “I think to a man you just could feel the energy sucked out of practice at that moment,” McCarthy said. He praised Stephens Jr. for his hard work and dedication, noting that the team had plans to involve him more in the upcoming games.

The injury is the latest in a series of challenges facing the Cowboys, who have not played since their 47-9 loss to the Detroit Lions on October 13. The team is preparing for a critical game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, with other key players like Pro Bowl pass rusher Micah Parsons and cornerback DaRon Bland dealing with their own injuries.

John Stephens Jr. is the son of the late former NFL running back John Stephens, who was the New England Patriots‘ first-round draft pick in 1988 and was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year that season.